Viralhope [Paperback]

This collection of short, but profound explorations of the Gospel in unique contexts is a real gift to the Body of Christ. Through story and context this book offers great depth while not sacrificing accessibility. The diversity of perspective and experience still speaks to the unity of truth. Well worth it.

Over the past month I've had the privilege of reading some of the most refreshing, exciting books of missional theology I've ever come across.

The first was Untamed by Alan and Deb Hirsch. This is a profound work of truly creative, constructive theology that points towards new ways of thinking about our life with God in this world. The second was Sun of Righteousness, Arise! by Jurgen Moltmann. Moltmann's 60+ years of deep, academic thinking are poured into this very profound celebration of God. Though both are very personal and inviting, they are also somewhat removed from direct application. What, then, do we do with the profound thoughts we read in such books?

This is why I'm so absolutely excited about ViralHope. Here we have a collection of fifty short theological narratives about what the Gospel means in specific contexts, as understood by men and women in these contexts, who work in and pray for these contexts every day. This is not a collection of the supposed superstars of contemporary Christianity. This is a collection of theological, practical insights by those who are very rarely in the spotlight, but who are yet still clearly called by God to join in with his wonderfully varied work throughout this world. Some are trained as pastors, others are not. All have a passion for the continuing work of God in and seek to express what it means to share this good work in very specific settings.

What is so great about this collection is how holistic their understanding of the Gospel is expressed. We are reminded of a Gospel which calls people into a deep relationship with Christ, saving us from our sins, and calls us to continued participation with each other and with all our neighbors in helping and hoping together in spiritual and practical ways. Indeed, this is a great book to discover more fully the actual theology of the missional/emerging movements as understood, and as practiced, by those who are living the life Christ has called us to live in different parts of the world. But don't think of this as dry, sterile theology. Rather, there is in every chapter a passion, a zeal, a hope in life with Christ, empowered by the Spirit, that helps this go beyond merely an informational text. It is immensely inspirational, pointing the reader back to the source of our hope and the possibilities that arise out of this hope.

I realize that I needed the refreshing and reminder of the hope that is found in Christ, and no doubt I'll be returning to this book regularly for that reminder. In these many essays there is none of the usual embrace of critique, or negativity, or irony, or other of the more critical aspects that the missional/emerging movement has probably far too long embraced. Here, we read of hope, light, peace, joy, opportunity, even in the midst of struggles honestly expressed.

The book itself is divided into five parts, and each of these parts has ten essays. Because each essay is written by a different contributor there's definitely a variety of style, quality, interest, and tone. Each are fairly short, only a couple pages or so. Even still, there's a richness of depth and passion that's only possible by men and women truly living out what they are writing about. The overall package, however, is more than the sum of its parts, as it shares this wonderful, invigorating, hope-filled, holistic work of the Spirit in bringing the Good News to the places it is so very much needed.

ViralHope is interesting on a theological level,it is inspirational on a spiritual level, and it is motivational on a practical level. It is a book that is very much needed as it goes beyond just telling us what to do or what to say. It shares with us the stories of God's work in our contemporary world, inviting us to participate in our contexts as we participate more and more with the God who so loves the world he sent his only son.

ViralHope powerfully weaves many unique storytellers into an inspiring collection of real-life good news. The book challenges and encourages me to view my own community in a fresh perspective--to share the only news that doesn't get old--with people around me.